Christian Jihad
In church one morning the message was from Ephesians 6:10-18. So in keeping with the message we began with the rousing old hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers”. I’ve sung this great 19th-century English hymn many times.
“Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see His banners go!”“At the sign of triumph, Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.”“Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod….”
A great hymn, when viewed from the Christian perspective of warfare against spiritual forces in high places. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12 NLT).
But how is the message of this hymn perceived by a Muslim, coming from a background that includes Jihad, a very works-based religion, and still stinging from the crusades of the 11th century? Yes, the crusades are very much remembered by every Muslim. Go back and read the words again and try to imagine how a Muslim would understand that. They probably have not read Ephesians 6:12, they don’t see this battle as an inward spiritual battle, fought in the mind and the soul. In their minds they see this as a call for Christians to rise up in a physical battle against Muslim forces in a resurgence of the crusades. Is this really the message we want to give? Is this the best way to win Muslims to Christ? Do we really want Muslims to view Christians as their enemy, out to destroy them and ban them to hell? I think not.
In this age, when technology is shrinking the globe and Christians are frequently coming in contact with Muslims, I think it’s time to retire this old hymn, great as it was in its day. Its time has passed. There are several other similar songs we sing in church that should also be carefully looked at, including “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”.
“Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high his royal banner,
It must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
His army shall he lead,
Till every foe is vanquished,
And Christ is Lord indeed.”
Thankfully, we finished our church service with the much more uplifting song, “Oh Church Arise“. Notice the words, “An army bold, whose battle cry is love, reaching out to those in darkness. Our call to war, to love the captive soul, but to rage against the captor.“
“O church, arise, and put your armor on;
Hear the call of Christ our captain.
For now the weak can say that they are strong
In the strength that God has given.
With shield of faith and belt of truth,
We’ll stand against the devil’s lies.
An army bold, whose battle cry is love,
Reaching out to those in darkness.”“Our call to war, to love the captive soul,
But to rage against the captor;
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole,
We will fight with faith and valor.
When faced with trials on every side,
We know the outcome is secure.
And Christ will have the prize for which He died:
An inheritance of nations.”